(Newser)
–
Ah, Wrigley Field. It's one of the oldest, most beloved parks in baseball... And Rich Cohen wants to destroy it—and yes, he means utterly, with whatever explosives necessary. "That pile of quaintness has to go," he writes in the Wall Street Journal. "Then the ground itself must be salted," and maybe covered with a housing project or "Stalinist monolith." Why? Because before the Cubs moved to Wrigley, they were a powerhouse. Now they're the Cubs.

That's not a coincidence, either. "The park is schizo," Cohen complains, swinging from hitter's park to pitcher's as the wind changes, making it nigh-impossible to optimize a team for the place. It's also too idyllic and beloved—it means the owners needn't field a winning team to fill it. A new stadium would change all that, and dull the memories of decades of futility. "When a house is haunted you don't put in a new scoreboard, add ivy, get better food or bigger beers—you move!" Click for Cohen's full column.

If you only go to baseball games for the score and feelings of 'power', then by all means have yourself a new stadium with no history, magic, familiarity or memories. All you will have is higher priced hotdogs, tickets and beer. Of course you also have the score, which is the least important thing about baseball except to sports nerds.The aura of stadiums with a past, players and player histories, the crowd and the thrill of being part of the game is what it's all about. Just swingin' . . .

Doctor-Zaius

May 16, 2012 6:57 PM CDT

I blame the fans. Stop going to games when they dip below .500 and stick with it. The ownership will be forced to do something. Until that time if you keep buying it as is it won't get any better...ever.

Ballantyne

May 16, 2012 4:32 PM CDT

this type of useless quacking about the friendly confines pops up every summer. nothing is done or ever will be done but it sure makes a great article when you need to fill space.